Jim Spall of Feilding, New Zealand owns 1922 Fitch Four Drive Tractor
Model 20-35. The tractor was originally owned and operated by the Pohangana
County Council of Palmerston North, New Zealand. The tractor was purchased
in 1922 from Adam Burgess LTD and was shipped to Auckland. Upon arrival to
New Zealand, the tractor was driven on the road a distance of 300 miles from
Auckland to Palmerston North. The Council used the tractor to pull and
drive a 6 ton metal crusher. |
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Fitch tractor owned by Pohangana County Council of Palmerston North, NZ
with the 6 ton metal crusher that was driven and pulled by the tractor.
This photo taken in the mid-1920's near Apiti, NZ. |
The full-restored tractor features a Climax KU 4-cylinder engine (serial
#2508 built in February 1920). |
The tractor was retired from work around 1939 and sold to the late Clarie
Buschman of Apiti, New Zealand. Jim purchased to tractor about 30 years ago
in the early 1970's. The tractor had remained outside in the open for about
20 years and required a great deal of work to restore the tractor. The
restoration took place over a number of years with help from fellow members
of the Manawatu Vintage Machinery Club. Most notably different about
the tractor is the lack of traction cleats on the steel wheels. |
Jim is a charter member of the Manawatu Vintage Machinery Club and enjoys
restoring vintage engines. His other projects include a Clectra Model E,
a number of stationary engines and a 1954 Singer sports car. Jim's 1922 Fitch
tractor can be seen at the Central District's Field Day held every March
in Feilding. |
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Jim Spall's Fitch tractor in a tractor parade in New Zealand. |
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photos courtesy of Richard Robinson and Jim Spall |
